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atada tti1z5 aaai eine JOHN w. HU'LL JAND ALBERT e. srIFFLnR., or ALQUINA, INDIANA.

Letters PatentNO. 111,544, aaeerebruary 7,1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOVER-HARVESTERS.

the followingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof', which `will`enable others skilled in the art to -make and use the saine, reference-.being had to the accompanying drawingibrming part of this specifica` cation.V

Our invention 'relates to clover-strippers, and consists in a new mode of sustaining the rake and cutter while being lifted over the clover-heads.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionai elevation of our improved machine, and

Figure 2 is a plan view of the saine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the box or case for receiving the heads. `1t is open at the front, and suspended from the outer axle B ofa pair of wheels, O, on which it is drawn along the ground.

D represents fingers applied to the front ofthe bottom of thev case, resembling in somerespects the guard-fingers of a mower. Y

E is a long cutter placed above the lingers, and arranged to cut backward against the angles between the fingers. It is connected by a crotched bar, F,

with a crank, G, in the axle, which is revolved by one of'sthe wheels, and said bar has a strong bent sp1-ing, I, extending rearward from the crank, which iscansed to strike against the crossbar K, when, after pulling the rake J falso attached to bar F, and cutter-back, it rises upward and throws them forward again, by which they are raised up so as to be moved. over the clover-heads in going-forward.

Guide-blocks K are provided, one on each inner side of the box, for the ends of the cutter-bar to workvunder to hold it down to its work when going backward, and to assist the spring in holding it up Vin Agoing forward. The rake and bar being connected together, wor-k alike in this respect. 'l' y 'lhc spring I escapes from under ythe bar K just previous to the endof `the forward'inovement of the cutter, and allows the latter to falldown to its work previous to moving` back. Y,

As it is desirable to vary the height of the iingers and the cutter as the height of the clover varies, the

front end ofthe case is suspended from a crank-shaft, L, mounted on the sllaf'tsof the truck, which shaft is connected to a hand-lever, M, by a rod, O, and arm,

P, so that it may be turned to raise and lowerthe front end of the casean`d the lever is arranged to rise up through a slot, Qin the bottom of the drvers seat, which is notched along the slot to hold the ,lever in the position required.

The heads are gathered into the rear part of the case bythe action of the cutter and rake as the work progresses, and are removed therefrom from time to time,

Having thus described our invention,

- XVe claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent f ',lhebar K, spring I, and guide-blocks K', combined, as described, with crotched bar F, to sustain the elevation of the rake and cutter until they have been lifted over the clover-heads. y

JOHN V. HULL.' ALBERT G. STIFFLER.

Witnesses:

"J. It. DAMEN, H. H. MAzn. 

